Transportable incineration system

ABSTRACT

A portable incineration system is provided in which transportable modular units are interconnected to provide a large scale incineration system. The fly ash and other undesired particles are removed from the hot gases without developing a steam plume by reheating and drying these gases prior to exhaust. The hot water produced during fly ash removal is circulated through a suitable cooler, or used as a constant heat source, and the cooled water is recirculated. Cleaning action is improved by injecting chemical sprays into the final drying chamber which solidify certain vapors in the exhaust stream. In the primary burning chamber the formation of large clinkers between the sides of the stoker and the refractory walls is avoided by providing a relatively wide, deep ledge of refractory material adjacent the moving edges of the stoker. In another embodiment a series of hollow perforated cylinders, arranged in a gradually sloping or vertically stepped array, may also be used as a stoker grate in the primary burning chamber to transport the material being burned through this chamber. The exhaust hot gases may be mixed with oxygen and supplied to the interior of these cylinders to prevent clogging and to assist in combustion of the material on the primary chamber.

United States Patent [1 1 Kleinfelter TRANSPORTABLE INCINERATION SYSTEM[76] Inventor: Clarence R. Kleinfelter, 394 South McHenry Avenue,Crystal Lake, 111.

[22] Filed: Sept. 10, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 179,488

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No.873,966, Nov. 4,

1969, abandoned.

[52] US. Cl. 110/8 A, 110/18 R, 110/119 [51] Int. Cl. F23g 7/00 [58]Field of Search 110/7, 8,18, 119

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,805,633 9/1957 NaulinllO/l8 X 2,847,950 8/1958 Naulin 110/18 X 2,873,101 2/1959 BabcockllO/18 X 2,912,941 11/1959 Hughes et a1. 1lO/8 3,357,380 12/1967Siracusa 110/8 3,412,985 ll/l968 Perry et al. 110/18 X 3,446,163 5/1969Sharpe .I: 110/8 Primary Examiner-Kenneth W. Sprague Attorney-Richard D.Mason, Reginald K. Bailey et al.

[451 June 26, 1973 [57] ABSTRACT A portable incineration system isprovided in which transportable modular units are interconnected toprovide a large scale incineration system. The fly ash and otherundesired particles are removed from the hot gases without developing asteam plume by reheating and drying these gases prior to exhaust.

The hot water produced during fly ash removal is circulated through asuitable cooler, or used as a constant heat source, and the cooled wateris recirculated. Cleaning action is improved by injecting chemicalsprays into the final drying chamber which solidify certain vapors inthe exhaust stream.

In the primary burning chamber the formation of large clinkers betweenthe sides of the stoker and the refractory walls is avoided by providinga relatively wide, deep ledge of refractory material adjacent the movingedges of the stoker.

In another embodiment a series of hollow perforated cylinders, arrangedin a gradually sloping or vertically stepped array, may also be usedas astoker grate in the primary burning chamber to transport the materialbeing burned through this chamber. The exhaust hot gases may be mixedwith oxygen and supplied to the interior of these cylinders to preventclogging and to assist in combustion of the material on the primarychamber.

16 Claims, 15 Drawing Figures PAIENTED-mzs ma SHEET 6 OF T INVENTORCLARENCE RKLE/NFELTEI? Arrorneys PAIENIEDJms 191s SHEEI70F7 FIG 14IIVVE/VTOR' CLARENCE R KLE/NFELTER 1 TRANSPORTABLE INCINERATION SYSTEMThe present invention is a continuation-in-part of application SerialNo. 873,966 filed November 4, 1969, now abandoned.

The present invention relates to incineration systems, and, moreparticularly, to incineration systems which are transportable so thatthey may be used in temporary or permanent incineration applications.

While various portable incinerators have been proposed in the past,their arrangements have been of limited application due to the smallvolume of combustibles which could be incinerated therein. Also, theseportable arrangements have not been acceptable for large scaleincineration applications because they do not meet the strict airpollution codes of many states. Furthermore, those arrangements whichhave attempted to remove the fly ash and other undesired particles fromthe hot gases characteristically emit what is known as a steam plumewhich is also objectionable.

In prior art systems employing moving stokers of certain types aproblemalso arises due to the fact that large clinkers tend to form adjacentthe moving edges of the stoker. These clinkers may become so large thatthey will stop the stoker or cause severe damage thereto. Furthermore,the removal of such clinkers is a laborious and time consuming task.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a newand improved transportable incineration system wherein one or more ofthe above-discussed disadvantages of the prior art arrangements iseliminated.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new andimproved transportable incineration system wherein a plurality ofseparably interconnectable modules which can be readily transported overstandard width highways and assembled to provide temporary or permanentlarge volume incineration for a wide variety of combustibles.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new andimproved transportable incineration system wherein a plurality ofseparably interconnectable modules are assembled to provide a largevolume incineration system and facilities are provided in said modulesto minimize the steam plume effect of the exhaust gases.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide a new andimproved transportable incineration system consisting of a group ofseparably interconnectable modules which can readily be assembled into acomplete large scale incineration system which meets the strictrequirements of all air pollution codes of the various states today.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new andimproved transportable incineration system wherein fly ash and othersuspended particles in the exhaust gases of the system are minimized soas to meet air pollution code requirements.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new andimproved transportable incineration system wherein the exhaust gases arethoroughly dried and cooled before being exhausted from the system so asto eliminate a steam plume at the exhaust.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a newand improved incineration system wherein clinkering at the moving edgesof the stoker is substantially eliminated.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new andimproved incineration system wherein a chemical spray is employed tosolidify certain vapors in the exhaust stream, thereby providingimproved cleaning action.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new andimproved transportable incineration system wherein the exhaust gases aremixed with oxygen and reused in the primary burning chamber to assist inthe combustion of the material in said chamber.

The invention, both as to its organization and method of operation,together with further objects and advantages thereof, will best beunderstood by reference to the following specification taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a transportable incineration systemembodying the features of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view, partly in section and taken on a smaller scale,of the system of FIG. 1';

FIG. 3 is a sectional view, taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2 but on asomewhat larger scale;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view, taken along-the line 4--4 of FIG. 2 but on asomewhat larger scale;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view, taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 2 but'on asomewhat larger scale;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view, taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 2 but on asomewhat larger scale;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view, taken along the line 7-7 of FIG. 2 but on asomewhat larger scale;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view'taken along the line 8-8 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to FIG. 3 butillustrating the manner in which clinkering is avoided when burninggarbage;

FIG. 10 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along the line 1l-11 of FIG. 10 but ona somewhat larger scale;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 12-12 ofFIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a further alternativeembodiment of the invention wherein an improved stoker grate arrangementis employed to transport material through the primary burning chamber;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken through the first cylinder grateof the arrangement of FIG. 13; and

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary perspective view of the perforated cylindersemployed in the-arrangement of FIG.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 to 8,inclusive, thereof, the present invention is therein illustrated ascomprising a plurality of separably interconnectable modular units 20 to28, inclusive. The modules 20 to 28, inclusive, are arranged to betransmitted to the job site on flat bed trucks and are of a width whichmay conveniently be carried on standard highways. These modules arearranged to be bolted or otherwise secured together in the form shown inFIG. 1 so as to comprise a complete incineration system capable ofcapacities up to tons per day while at the same time these module unitsmay be transported to difierent job sites to perform differentincineration applications. While the incineration system of the presentinvention is capable of general application, it is particularly suitablefor use with and will be described in convide a suitable refractorynection with an arrangement for removing combustibles from car bodies.The incineration system of the present invention may thus be leased tojunk yards, moved in and set up to clean up the combustibles from carbodies so that the owners can get a higher price for bare metal units.The present incineration system permits the controlled burning ofcombustibles and would eliminate the burning of cars at night which isthe present procedure under uncontrolled conditions.

In the arrangement of FIG. 1, the first two modular units 20 and 21 arearranged to be bolted together end to end so as to provide a primaryburning chamber through which the car bodies may be moved to remove allcombustibles therefrom. While this primary burning chamber may obviouslybe of any suitable dimensions, for certain applications this primaryburning chamber 20, 2l may have a height of 8 feet, a width of 10 feetand a length of approximately 50 feet forthe two sections and 21. Themodular units 20 and 21 are arranged to be lifted off of flat bedtransports and rest upon suitable eye beams 30, or any suitablefoundation arrangement, as will be readily understood by those skilledin the art.

Each of the modular units 20, 21 includes an outer housing 32 of sheetsteel and a refractory lining 34 which may be approximately 4% inchesthick to prolining for the primary burning chamber. Preferably onlythelower portions of the side walls of the unit are made of refractorybrick or other heavy material which will withstand abrasion due to wear.The upper portions of these side walls and the top walls of the modularunits are preferably lined with an asbestos type refractory lining whichis of substantially less thickness and weight than conventional firebrick.

A conveyor 36 (FIG. 2) extends through the length of the two modularunits 20 and 21 and beyond both the electrically operated entrance door38 of the modular unit 20 and a similar exit door at the end of the unit21, so that car bodies may be placed upon the conveyor 36 exteriorly ofthe unit 20 and may be removed therefrom at the exit of unit 21 afterall combustibles have been burned off of the car bodies.

The temperature in the primary burning chamber is preferably controlledso that high grade metals of the car bodies will not melt. Accordingly,the temperature in the primary burning chamber is maintained at froml,200 to l,400F. A secondary burning chamber is then provided whichoperates at a higher temperature so as to eliminate smoke and odors.More particularly, the modular units 22 and 23 are connected end to endto provide a secondary burning chamber one end of which communicateswith the side of the modular unit 21 through a vertically moving dampingmember 40. The damper 40 is preferably of 6 inch thick refractorymaterial and is motor driven so as to control the volume of gases,'draftand temperature. Preferably the secondary burning chamber within themodular units 22 and 23 is operated at a temperature from 1,800 to2,000F.

The modular units 22 and 23 are preferably each provided with an outersheet steel housing 42, a first layer of block insulation 44approximately 2% inches thick, and an inner layer of refractory material46 which may be approximately 2% inches in thickness if an asbestos typelining is employed. Such a lining is again preferably employed to reducethe weight of the transportable units 22 and 23. A plurality of burnerunits 48 are mounted in the sides and end wall of the units 22, 23 so asto insure burning of the solids in the smoke and gases within thechamber 22, 23. Also, suitable baffles (not shown) may be providedwithin the modular units 22, 23 to insure that the hot gases passthrough the secondary burning chamber with sufficient distance of travelto eliminate smoke and insure the complete combustion of the gases.

Considering now the manner in which the primary and secondary burningchambers are preferably operated, the front and rear doors 38 of theprimary burning chamber 20, 21 are electrically timed for properentrance and exit of the car bodies; Approximately 20 minutes isrequired in the primary burning chamber during which about 300 pounds ofcombustible material will be removed from the metal car body.

After the combustibles have been removed from the car body, thedischarge door at the rear end of the modular unit 21 is opened, the carbody is removed, and this door is then closed. During this period oftime the damper 40 is positioned so as to maintain the proper draft sothat the gases will continue to go to the secondary burning chamber, andair keeps coming in the open exit door of the unit 21.

After the burned car body is removed, the entrance door'38 .is opened, anew body is moved into'the unit 20 and this door is then closed. As thetemperature and volume of gases increases, the damper 40 is raised so asto maintain the proper draft and combustion. A pressure of approximately0.2 inch of water is thus maintained in each of the primary andsecondary burning chambers, by means of the exhaust fan 29 at the end ofthe unit 27.

The modular units 24, 25 are connected end to end to provide a spraychamber which is interconnected with the adjacent side of the chamber23. A vertically movable baffle 50 is provided in the end of the unit 24which communicates with. the unit 23, the baffle 50 being driven by asuitable electric motor so as to cooperate in controlling the volume ofgases, draft, etc. Each of the units 24, 25 is preferably provided withan outer housing 52 of sheet steel, and a refractory lining 54 on thesides, top and bottom of these units. The bottom portion 56 of therefractory lining is preferably sloped to one side to communicate with awater outlet 58 which empties into a sump or well 60 (FIG. 5). The sump60 is provided with vertically extending baffles 62 and 64 whichpromotesettling of the fly ash material 7 to the bottom of the sump 60before the water is drawn off through an outlet pipe 66 by means of apump 68.

The pump supplies the heated outlet water from the spray chamber 24, 25through the pipe 70 to the cooler unit 28.

The units 24 and 25 are each provided with an open topped water supplytank 72, 74. The tanks 72, 74 are supplied with water which has beencooled by the cooler 28, by means of the supply line 76, 78and the pump80, indicated diagrammatically in FIG. 7. Referring to FIG. 5, the spraychamber comprising the units 24, 25 consist of a number of flat piers82, 83, 84,

and 86, extending from top to bottom of the units 24, 25. A nozzle 88 isprovided at the upper end of each pier and communicates with the tanks72, 73 through the inlet pipes 90. The nozzles 88 may simply comprise aflared end of the pipe 90 so that a stream or sheet of watercontinuously runs down each of the piers 82-86, inclusive. The piersprovided in the units 24, 25 are each of relatively small thickness ascompared to their width and are arranged in rows which are staggeredwith respect to each other. Accordingly, as the hot gases from thesecondary burning chamber are admitted to the spray chamber, they arewashed to eliminate the fly ash still present in the gases to an amountwhich is acceptable for all air pollution code requirements.

More specifically, the hot gases containing fly ash are made to travelover a tortuous path whereby they are made to hit the staggered piers82-86 in each row. When the gases hit these piers, the fly ash containedtherein becomes trapped and water-logged so that it adheres to the wallsof the piers, and is washed down these walls to the floor of the spraychamber. In this connection, it is pointed outthat the sprays providedby the nozzles 88 are not in the form of a fine mist or spray butinstead produce curtains or sheets of water which run down the surfacesof the piers 82-86. The fly ash. thus becomes trapped in these curtainsor sheets of water and is washed down the piers and into the sump 60where the fly ash collects'in the bottom thereof.

Since the water in the tanks 72 and 74 becomes quite hot, when exposedto the gases from the secondary burning chamber, it is necessary to coolit so that it can be used continuously. In this connection it will beunderstood that a cold water supply can be provided for the nozzles 88but such an arrangement would require a much larger water supply whenthe incineration system is used over any prolonged period of time.

After the fly ash has settled to the bottom of the sump 60, water isremoved therefrom through the pipe 66, the pump 68 and the outlet pipe70 to the cooler 28. The cooler 28 is preferably an open-topped unithaving a plurality of rows of vertically extending stand pipes 92, 94,96 and 98 which are connected to the pipe 70 coming from the pump 68through an intermediate line 100. Each of the pipes 92-98 terminated ina fine mist spray nozzle 102 so that the hot water coming from the pipe70 is sprayed upwardly within the cooler 28'and ismixed with air so asto lower its temperature to approximately 150F. As it is cooled, thewater from the nozzles 102 falls to'thebottom portion of the unit 28 andis drained off through the pipe 76, the pump 80 and return line 78 tothe tanks 72 and 74 on the top of the units 24 and 25 respectively.

While a separate cooler 28 has been described for the purpose of coolingthe water in the tanks 72 and 74, it is pointed out that the hot waterproduced in these tanks can, in the alternative, be used to do usefulwork and the cooler 28 eliminated. For example, the hot water from thetanks 72 and 74 may in accordance with the present invention, be used toheat a building. Furthermore, the constant temperature of this watermakes it particularly suitable for heating structures, such asgreenhouses, which must be held at a constant temperature over longperiods of time.

After the hot gases in the secondary burning chambers 22, 23 have beenwashed to eliminate fly ash in the spray chamber 24, 25, they are thencooled and dried so that when exhausted from the stack 29 they will notproduce a so-called steam plume which is objectionable. Moreparticularly, after the fly ash has been removed from the hot gases inthe spray chamber 24, 25, they are passed into a cooling chambercomprising the modular units 26, 27 which are connected end to end. Theend of the modular unit 26 is interconnected with the adjacent side ofthe unit 25 and a damper 110 is provided in the end of the unit 26adjacent the unit 25, the damper l 10 being motor controlled so as toprovide the correct opening for proper draft, combustion, etc. throughthe units 22-27, inclusive. Also, in accordance with a further featureof the invention, the hot gases from the secondary chamber 22, 23 areemployed to heat the wet gases emerging from the spray chamber 24, 25 sothat the above-described steam plume is eliminated without requiringadditional energy for drying of the gases in the chambers 26, 27.

The drying chamber 26, 27 includes an outer housing 112 (FIG. 6) and afloor 114 and roof 116 of refractory material. In addition, a number ofwalls of refractory material are provided to define channels for the wetgases which flow past walls heated by the hot gases from the chamber 22,23. Thus, a first pair of walls 1 16, 118, is provided to define achannel 120 within which hot gases from the unit 23 are introducedthrough the pipe 122 which communicates with the pipe 124 connected tothe unit 23. Wet gases from the spray chamber 25 are introduced in theadjacent channel 126. The next pair of walls 128 and 130 of refractorymaterial define a second hot gas channel 132 which is connected to thechannel 120 through an overhead pipe 134 (FIG. 1). The hot gases areexhausted from the end of the unit 27 through a pipe 136 which isconnected to a pipe 138 which feeds the hot gases backvto the secondaryburning chamber 22 through an induced draft fan 140 and the pipe 142.

The wet gases from the chamber 25 are also admitted through a channel144 where they strike the wall 130 and a wall 146 which is heated by hotgases within the channel 148 also connected to the pipe 124. In asimilar manner wet gases introduced through the channel 150 are dried'byexposure to the walls 152 and 154 which are heated respectively by thehot gases within the channel 148 and the channel 156. An outer wall 158of refractory material is also provided. The hot gases from the channel148 are supplied to one end of the channel 156 by means of the overheadpipe 160, and are exhausted through the pipe 162 at the other end of thechannel 156.

The exhaust fan 129 is provided with a plurality of openings 170, 172and 174 communicating respectively with the channels 126, 144 and 150 atthe far end' of the unit 27 so that the gases which have been cooled anddried during transmission through the units 26 and 27 may now'beexhausted to the atmosphere without producing a steam plume. In order toprolong travel of the wet gases through the units 26, 27 a number ofvertically extending baffles 180, 182, are provided in the channels 126,144 and 150 so as to prolong the exposure of the wet gases to the heatedwalls in the drying chamber.

While the incineration system of FIGS. 1 to 8, inclusive, has beendescribed in connection with a car body incineration operation, it willbe appreciated that the features of this invention may be employed whenburning any type of combustible material in large quantities. Forexample, the incineration system of FIGS. 1 to 8, inclusive, may bereadily employed to burn garbage for city and municipality operations.In the event that garbage is to be burned, the primary combustionchamber 20, 21 is capable of providing the additional feature ofpreventing the formation of clinkers at the edges of the movingconveyor, as shown in FIG. 9. Thus, referring to FIG. 9, the stoker ormoving grate is positioned inwardly of the side walls 192 of refractorymaterial so as to provide a ledge 194 of refractory material which ispreferably approximately 1 foot in width. In accor dance with theinvention, the garbage to be burned is distributed by suitable means sothat it is piled onto the conveyor 190 in such manner that it extendsbeyond the moving portionof the conveyor 190 and onto the ledge 194, asindicated by the pile of material 196. If the side wall of the primaryburning chamber is positioned adjacent the moving edge of the conveyor,and no ledge 194 is provided, the air, which must be forced upwardlythrough the holes in the stoker 190 to promote combustion, is alsoforced up along the edges 198 of the moving stoker at a point where thethickness of the material to be burned is relatively small. Accordingly,a blast effect is produced when the ledge 194 is not provided whichinduces the formation of large clinkers which ultimately jam the stokerand cause it to stop, or, in some instances, cause breakage of the drivemechanism therefor.

, When the ledge 194 is provided, a relatively thick pile of materialaccumulates over the opening 198 between the moving stoker 190 and theinner edge of the ledge 194 so that the air cannot rush through thismaterial and cause the production of clinkers. However, the portion ofthe material 196 which is positioned on the ledge 194 burns clear out tothe side wall 192 when proper operating temperatures in the order of l,8OOF. areemployed. The opening 198 is thus covered by a moving mass ofmaterial a portion of which is being pushed over onto the stationaryledge 194. By this arrangement a blast furnace effect is eliminated atthe edges of the moving conveyor 190 and clinkering is substantiallyreduced or in some instances completely eliminated.

In FIGS. 10 to 12, inclusive, of the drawings, there is illustrated analternative embodiment of the invention wherein a different arrangementis employedto eliminate the conventional steam plume at the exhaust of Ithe incineration system. Referring to these figures, the

units 20, 21, 22, 24 and 25 of the incineration system of FIGS. 10 to12, inclusive, are substantially identical to the embodiment shown anddescribed heretofore in connection with FIG. 1. However, the wet gasesfrom the output of the spray chamber unit 25 are supplied through anadjustable baffle 110 to a single modular collecting chamber indicatedgenerally at 200 which is provided with a plurality of oppositelydirected partitions 202, 204 and 206.

The modular unit 200 is lined with a wall of approximately Z-inchthickness of refractory material which has the effect of keeping the wetgases from rusting out the metal walls of the unit 200. An exhaust fan210 is mounted in the top wall of the unit 200 and the outlet of theexhaust fan 210 is supplied by way of a relatively large conduit 212 toa plenum chamber 214 positioned beneath the secondary heating chamber23a, the plenum 214 extending transversely across the width of thechamber 23a. The chamber 23a is substantially identical to the chamber23 described heretofore, except for the addition of the plenum 214 and aplurality of stainless steel pipes 216 which extend vertically throughthe secondary heating chamber 23a and are connected at the bottom endthereof to the plenum 214 beneath the floor of the unit 23a. Thus, asshown in FIG. 11, the pipes 216 are connected to the plenum 214 andextend through the bottom and top walls of the unit 23a.

With the arrangement of FIGS. 10 to 12, the wet gases exhausted by thefan 210 are diverted back through the secondary combustion chamber-23awhere they are reheated an amount sufficient to dry the gases so that asteam plume is not produced when they are exhausted to the atmospherethrough the open upper ends of the pipes 216. However, the clean gaseswhich are diverted back through the chamber 23a do not come into contactwith the dirty combustion gases in the chamber 23a since they are withinthe stainless steel tubes 216. I

In order to prevent the stainless steel pipes 216 from wearing outquickly under the abrasive force of the fly ash and other particlescontained in the gases moving through the secondary combustion chamber23a, a shield 220 of abrasion resistant refractory material is providedaround the upstream portion of each of the pipes 216 so as to preventthe sides of these pipes which are exposed to the rapidly flowing gasesfrom direct contact with particles carried by these gases. The diameterand number of the pipes 216 is chosen so that the wet exhaust gasessupplied to the plenum 214 are dried out sufficiently in traversing thelength of the pipes 216 that a steam plume is substantially eliminatedas these dried gases are emitted to the atmosphere.

It is also pointed out that an arrangement for eliminating steam plumesimilar to that shown in FIGS. 10 to 12 may be employed, in accordancewith the present invention, in existing non-portable incinerationsystems. Thus, the output of the exhaust fan of such systems may bediverted back through the secondary combustion chamber of the system byemploying an arrangeme'nt similar to the plenum 214 and pipes 216 sothat the wet exhaust gases are dried sufficiently to eliminate theplume.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, a chemicalis injected into the wet gases present in the chamber 200'so as tosolidify particular vapors present in theexhaust stream. To this end, apressurized spray unit, indicated generallyv at 222, is provided outsidethe modular unit 200 and a series of vertically extending rows ofnozzles 224 are arranged to inject chemical sprays into the wet gaseswhich are pulled around the partitions 202, 204 and 206 in the chamber200. These sprays contain suitable chemicals such as alkali which reactwith certain components of vapors present in the exhaust stream to formsolids and thereby provide improved cleaning action so that the gasesexhausted by the fan 210 are essentially free from the solidifiedcomponents.

Referring now to the alternative embodiment shown in FIGS. 13 to 15,inclusive, a transportable primary burning chamber arrangement is showntherein which may be incorporated in either of the total incinerationsystems shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 10. In the alternative embodiment ofFIGS. 13 to 15, inclusive, an improved primary combustion arrangement isprovided in the transportable modules 20a and 210, which is particularlyadapted for transmitting garbage and refuse through the primary burningchamber without clogging and includes the re-utilization of the driedgases, after addition of oxygen, to assist combustion in the primaryburning chamber while providing increased efficiency of the overallsystem. More particularly, referring to this figures, a series of hollowrotatable cylinders 230 are rotatably mounted within the modules 20a and21a, the cylinders 230 being arranged in a downwardly sloping array witha series of anticlogging members 234, of generally tee-shaped crosssection, interposed between the rollers 230. The tee-shaped stationarymembers 234 may be supported in any suitable manner from the bed of themodule units a and 21a with a slight clearance between the edges of themembers 234 and the adjacent rotating cylinders 230. While the cylinders230 are illustrated in a gradually sloping array, they may also bearranged in a series of vertical steps so that the material to be burnedis moved off of a step and drops downwardly into the next step and iscarried forwardly on this step by the rotating rollers 230. The members234 may be supported at any desired angle between the rollers in thevertical fall of each step to facilitate movement of the material downthe array.

The cylinders 230 are provided with a large number of small openings 232throughout the length thereof so that the dried exhaust gases of thesystem may be supplied to the interior of these cylinders, afteradditional oxygen is added, to assist in the combustion of the materialwithin the primary burning chamber, as will be described in more detailhereinafter. At the juncture of the two modules 200 and 21a, asupporting plate 236 may be placed between the adjacent cylinders 230after these two module units have been assembled at the sit of theincineration system.

The side walls 238 and 240 of each module unit, which are lined withrefractory lining, as described in detail heretofore, support a pair ofinwardly extending aprons 242 and 244 which are inclined downwardly to apoint somewhat inside of the ends of the cylinders 230 so as to containthe refuse 246 on top of the cylinders 230 as this material movesthrough the module units 20a and 21a. The aprons 242 and .244 thusdivide the modules 20a and 21a into an upper chamber 243 and a lowerchamber 245 (FIG. 14). The aprons 242 and 244 may either be of a metalwhich will withstand the flame temperature which will be produced at theedges of the pile of material 246 where much of the burning occurs, orpreferably these aprons may comprise extensions of refractory brickbuilt out from the walls 238 and 240 above the array of rotating rollers230. Above the uppermost one of the rollers 230 and approximately midwayof the top wall 250 of the module unit 20a, a burner 248 is mounted,this burner being connected to the conduit 252 from a suitable source offuel so as to provide primary ignition of the refuse at the horizontalcenter of the stoker.

One end of each of the cylinders 230 is closed by means of a plate 254and each cylinder is rotatably mounted in a bearing block 256, theseblocks being supported from the floor of the module units 20a and 21a bymeans of the members 258. A chain driven gear 260 is mounted on the endof each of these supporting axles so that the rollers 230 may be rotatedat any desired speed by means of a suitable driving motor (not shown).In the alternative, different groups of rollers 230 may be arranged tobe driven from separate driving motors so that the refuse may be movedthrough the module units 20a and 21a at different speeds in differentcombustion areas thereof.

The other end of the cylinders 230 is supported by means of a spokedwheel 266 which is mounted on an axle 264 which extends through an inletconduit 268 and is rotatably mounted in the bearing block 262 carried bythe supporting member 270. This other end of the cylinders 230 is thusessentially open to receive air supplied through the individual conduits268 so that air may be forced outwardly through the holes 232 of thecylinders 230.

In accordance with an important aspect of the invention the upperchamber 243, which is separated from the lower chamber 245 by means ofthe aprons and the material 246 to be burned, is operated at a slightlynegative pressure whereas the lower chamber 245 is operated at apositive pressure so that the exhaust gases and the air mixture which issupplied to the inside of the cylinders 230 is forced inwardly throughthe material 246 and assists in the combustion of this material as' itmoves along the cylinders 230. To this end the individual conduits 268may be connected to a common header system which is connected tosuitable forced draft fans which receive the exhaust gases from theinduced draft exhaust fans 29 (FIG. 1) or 210 (FIG. 10) and mix thesegases with air to reduce the temperature thereof and provide oxygen forcombustion. More particularly, the exhaust gases from the induced draftfans 29 or 210, which are at minus 3 inches static pressure and 400F.,are converted to an exhaust gas and air mixture at plus 3 inches staticpressure and 200F. This mixture is supplied to the conduits 268. Also,the pressure in the bottom chamber 245 is maintained at plus threeinches and 200F., either by supplying this mixture to the chamber 245 orby suitable forced draft fans opening directly into the chamber 245. Theinduced draft fans 29 or 210, which establish a negative pressurethroughout the entire incineration system, will provide a negativepressure of approximately minus 1 inch in the upper chamber 243 so thatthe hot gases supplied to the interior of the cylinders 230 is forcedupwardly through the material 246 and assists combustion thereof,particularly at the edges adjacent the aprons 242 and 244 where the pileof material 246 is of minimum depth.

Considering now the operation of the arrangement shown in'FIGS. 13 to15, inclusive, the debris or refuse is initially loaded onto the upperend of the array of rollers 230 by means of any suitable feed conveyorarrangement such as an apron conveyor, or the like, so that the refuseis deposited through the intake area onto the first group of rollers 230adjacent the burner 248. After sufficient material has been deposited toseparate off the chambers 243 and 245 from each other, the supply of airnecessary for combustion is furnished by means of one or more induceddraft fans 29 or 210 which are located at the far end of the system, asdescribed heretofore, these fans being controlled to start after theburner 248 has ignited the refuse at the horizontal center of thestoker. These induced draft fans will be controlled to start aftersufficient combustion gases have been developed to provide the necessarydraft requirements. After combustion has started and dried gases aredeveloped in the drying chamber 27 (FIG. 1) these dried gases from theoutlets of the induced draft fans 29 or 210 are mixed with air in forceddraft fans provided with a Venturi type air intake so that thetemperature of the mixture is reduced and pressure thereof is increased,as described in detail heretofore. This mixture is connected through asuitable header arrangement to each of the ducts 268 leading to theinterior ofthe rotatable cylinders 230, this header being provided witha suitable controlled damper so that this mixture is supplied to theinside of the cylinders 230 after proper combustion has been started.The motor, or motors, controlling the rotation of the cylinders 230 mayagain be energized so as to cause the refuse 246 to move down thegradually sloping array of rotating cylinders 230, these cylinders beingself-cleaning by virtue of the tee fittings 234 provided between thesecylinders so that clogging is positively prevented. The speed ofrotation of the cylinders 230 is properly regulated to allow sufficientburning time within the various zones of the modules 20a and 21a. Sincethe nature of the refuse materials themselves will require differentlengths of time for complete reduction, the speed of rotation of thecylinders 230 will obviously be modified to accommodate the requiredburning time within the primary burning chamber. A suitable conveyorsystem may be provided along the floor of the module units 20a and 21ato remove siftings which pass through the cylinders 230 and fines whichpass through the spaces between the tee fittings 234 and the rotatingcylinders 230, as will be readily more complete combustion of thematerial to be burned. in either event, the material remaining at theexit of the module 21a is discharged in any suitable manner to asuitable refuse pit or to a succeeding primary burning chamber unit. a

While there have been described what are at present considered to bethepreferred embodiments of the in-,

. vention, it will be understood that various modifications may be madetherein which are within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent ofthe United States is:

'1. A portable incineration system comprising a transportable body, thebody being provided with first and second combustion chambers, acharging door on the body for introducing combustible material into thefirst combustion chamber, means in the first combustion chamber forproducing the primary incineration of combustible material, means in thesecond combustion chamber for producing the secondary incineration ofcombustible .material incompletely incinerated in the firstcombustionchamber, means in the body for removing a substantial portion ofparticles suspended in the atmosphere of the body following primary andsecondary incineration by entraining said suspended particles in adownwardly flowing film of water, a discharge means for dischargingresidue from the body, means for transporting combustible material andresidue from the charging door to the discharge means, and means fordrying the wet gases after they have traversed said downwardly flowingfilm of'water, whereby said dried gases may be exhausted to theatmosphere without producing an objectionable steam plume.

2. The portable incineration system of claim 1 wherein means areconnected to the body to maintain a negative pressure within thechambers of the body between the charging door and the discharging meansto provide draft for the burning process.

3. The portable incineration system of claim 1 wherein the transportablebody comprises a plurality of separably interconnectable andtransportable modules.

4. The portable incineration system of claim 3 wherein the charging doorand first combustion chamber comprise a first pair of transportablemodules and include means for connection in communication with anothermodule, the secondary combustion chamber comprises a second pair oftransportable modules and including means for connection incommunication with one of said first pair of modules and with anothermodule, and the means for removing a substantial portion of thesuspended particles in the atmosphere of the system and the dischargemeans comprises a third pair of transportable modules for connection incommunication with one of said second pair of modules.

5. The portable incineration system of claim 3 wherein the means for.transporting combustible material and residue from the charging door ofone of the modules to the discharge means of another of the modulescomprises mechanical conveyor means.

6. A portable incineration system comprising a transportable body, thebody being provided with first and second combustion chambers, acharging door on the body for introducing combustible material into thefirst combustion chamber, means in the first combustion chamber forproducing the primary incineration of combustible material, means in thesecond combustion chamber for producing the secondary incineration ofcombustible material incompletely incinerated in the first combustionchamber, means in the body for removing a substantial portion ofparticles suspended in the atmosphere of the body following primary andsecondary incineration, a plurality of vertically extending pierspositioned in the path of hot gases laden with suspended particles, andmeans for producing a continuous downwardly flowing film of water on thesurfaces of said piers exposed to said gases, whereby said suspendedparticles are entrained in said water film and washed downwardly to thebottom of said piers.

7. The portable incineration system of claim 6, wherein there isprovided means for cooling the water which has been exposed to said hotgases and re-using the same in further entraining of particles suspendedin said hot gases.

8. The portable incinerator system of claim 6, wherein the water at thebottom of said piers is employed as a source of substantially constantheat and is then re-used to produce said continuous film of water.

9. The portable incinerator system of claim 6, wherein means areprovided for drying the wet gases after they have traversed said filmcovered piers, and exhausting said dried gases to the atmosphere withoutproducing an objectionable steam plume.

10. The portable incinerator system of claim 9, wherein said wet gasesare dried by heat derived from said second combustion chamber.

1 1. The portable incinerator system of claim 9, which includes acollection chamber connected to receive the wet gases which havetraversed said piers, a plurality of exhaust tubes extending throughsaid second combustion chamber, and means exhausting the wet gases insaid collection chamber through said tubes to the atmosphere, said wetgases being dried by heat derived from said second combustion chamber asthey traverse said tubes.

12. The portable incinerator system of claim 11, wherein means areprovided for protecting said tubes against wear on the side thereofexposed to movement of gases through said second combustion chamber.

13. In a stoker fed incinerator system, the combinamaterial, a stokerfor carrying combustible material through said chamber, said stokerbeing positioned in the floor of said chamber, means for forcing airupwardly in the space between the sides of said stoker and the adjacentedges of said floor, said floor having sufficient width to formrelatively wide ledges extending away from and on substiantially thesame level as said stoker, and means for depositing material to beburned on said stoker so that it covers said space with a layer ofmaterial of substantial depth, thereby to avoid the formation of largeclinkers between said stoker and said adjacent floor edges.

14. The portable incineration system of claim 1, wherein said wet gasesare dried by heat derived from said second combustion chamber.

15. In a stoker fed incinerator system, the combination of, a combustionchamber lined with refractory material, a series of elongated hollowcylinders, positioned transversely of the path of movement of materialthrough said chamber, and closely spaced one to another, means forrotating said cylinders so as to move material along said path at adesired rate, stationary means positioned between said cylinders nearthe upper edges thereof so as to form with said upper edges of saidcylinders a downwardly sloping bed over which the material may be moved,means defining a plurality of openings in each of said cylinders, meansfor supplying combustible gas under pressure to the interior of saidcylinders, and means enclosing the bottom portions of said cylinders,whereby said gas is forced upwardly through said openings and throughthe material thereon to assist in the combustion thereof.

16. The combination of claim 15, wherein said stationary means comprisesa series of members of teeshaped cross section positioned between saidcylinders, the edges of said tee-shaped members being positioned closeto said rotating cylinders to prevent clogging thereof.

1. A portable incineration system comprising a transportable body, thebody being provided with first and second combustion chambers, acharging door on the body for introducing combustible material into thefirst combustion chamber, means in the first combustion chamber forproducing the primary incineration of combustible material, means in thesecond combustion chamber for producing the secondary incineration ofcombustible material incompletely incinerated in the first combustionchamber, means in the body for removing a substantial portion ofparticles suspended in the atmosphere of the body following primary andsecondary incineration by entraining said suspended particles in adownwardly flowing film of water, a discharge means for dischargingresidue from the body, means for transporting combustible material andresidue from the charging door to the discharge means, and means fordrying the wet gases after they have traversed said downwardly flowingfilm of water, whereby said dried gases may be exhausted to theatmosphere without producing an objectionable steam plume.
 2. Theportable incineration system of claim 1 wherein means are connected tothe body to maintain a negative pressure within the chambers of the bodybetween tHe charging door and the discharging means to provide draft forthe burning process.
 3. The portable incineration system of claim 1wherein the transportable body comprises a plurality of separablyinterconnectable and transportable modules.
 4. The portable incinerationsystem of claim 3 wherein the charging door and first combustion chambercomprise a first pair of transportable modules and include means forconnection in communication with another module, the secondarycombustion chamber comprises a second pair of transportable modules andincluding means for connection in communication with one of said firstpair of modules and with another module, and the means for removing asubstantial portion of the suspended particles in the atmosphere of thesystem and the discharge means comprises a third pair of transportablemodules for connection in communication with one of said second pair ofmodules.
 5. The portable incineration system of claim 3 wherein themeans for transporting combustible material and residue from thecharging door of one of the modules to the discharge means of another ofthe modules comprises mechanical conveyor means.
 6. A portableincineration system comprising a transportable body, the body beingprovided with first and second combustion chambers, a charging door onthe body for introducing combustible material into the first combustionchamber, means in the first combustion chamber for producing the primaryincineration of combustible material, means in the second combustionchamber for producing the secondary incineration of combustible materialincompletely incinerated in the first combustion chamber, means in thebody for removing a substantial portion of particles suspended in theatmosphere of the body following primary and secondary incineration, aplurality of vertically extending piers positioned in the path of hotgases laden with suspended particles, and means for producing acontinuous downwardly flowing film of water on the surfaces of saidpiers exposed to said gases, whereby said suspended particles areentrained in said water film and washed downwardly to the bottom of saidpiers.
 7. The portable incineration system of claim 6, wherein there isprovided means for cooling the water which has been exposed to said hotgases and re-using the same in further entraining of particles suspendedin said hot gases.
 8. The portable incinerator system of claim 6,wherein the water at the bottom of said piers is employed as a source ofsubstantially constant heat and is then re-used to produce saidcontinuous film of water.
 9. The portable incinerator system of claim 6,wherein means are provided for drying the wet gases after they havetraversed said film covered piers, and exhausting said dried gases tothe atmosphere without producing an objectionable steam plume.
 10. Theportable incinerator system of claim 9, wherein said wet gases are driedby heat derived from said second combustion chamber.
 11. The portableincinerator system of claim 9, which includes a collection chamberconnected to receive the wet gases which have traversed said piers, aplurality of exhaust tubes extending through said second combustionchamber, and means exhausting the wet gases in said collection chamberthrough said tubes to the atmosphere, said wet gases being dried by heatderived from said second combustion chamber as they traverse said tubes.12. The portable incinerator system of claim 11, wherein means areprovided for protecting said tubes against wear on the side thereofexposed to movement of gases through said second combustion chamber. 13.In a stoker fed incinerator system, the combination of, a combustionchamber lined with refractory material, a stoker for carryingcombustible material through said chamber, said stoker being positionedin the floor of said chamber, means for forcing air upwardly in thespace between the sides of said stoker and the adjacent edges of saidfloor, said floor having sufficient width to form relatively wide ledgesextending away from and on substiantially the same level as said stoker,and means for depositing material to be burned on said stoker so that itcovers said space with a layer of material of substantial depth, therebyto avoid the formation of large clinkers between said stoker and saidadjacent floor edges.
 14. The portable incineration system of claim 1,wherein said wet gases are dried by heat derived from said secondcombustion chamber.
 15. In a stoker fed incinerator system, thecombination of, a combustion chamber lined with refractory material, aseries of elongated hollow cylinders, positioned transversely of thepath of movement of material through said chamber, and closely spacedone to another, means for rotating said cylinders so as to move materialalong said path at a desired rate, stationary means positioned betweensaid cylinders near the upper edges thereof so as to form with saidupper edges of said cylinders a downwardly sloping bed over which thematerial may be moved, means defining a plurality of openings in each ofsaid cylinders, means for supplying combustible gas under pressure tothe interior of said cylinders, and means enclosing the bottom portionsof said cylinders, whereby said gas is forced upwardly through saidopenings and through the material thereon to assist in the combustionthereof.
 16. The combination of claim 15, wherein said stationary meanscomprises a series of members of tee-shaped cross section positionedbetween said cylinders, the edges of said tee-shaped members beingpositioned close to said rotating cylinders to prevent clogging thereof.